Research Tip #15

World War I Service Records

The Archives has brief abstracts of New Yorkers' WWI military service in the Army, Navy, and Marines (series B0808). Abstracts for Army nurses and Navy yeomen (female) and nurses are also included.

Content of abstracts varies, but records typically provide name; serial/service number; race; residence; place and date of enlistment/induction; place of birth; organizations served in, with dates of assignments and transfers; dates of overseas service; wounds or other injuries received in action; date of separation/discharge (and place of separation for Navy personnel).

The data found in these abstracts was taken from federal records, most of which were destroyed by fire in 1973. Therefore, these are the only surviving record of New Yorkers' military service in WWI.